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H. B. LITTLEPAGE.

STRAP'LOGK. No. 547,082. Patented Oct. 1, 1895.

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I'IARDIN B. LITTLEPAGE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

STRAP-LOCK.

SEEGIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,082, dated October 1, 1895.

Application tiled May 25, 1 8 9 5 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARDIN B. LITTLEPAGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washingtons District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Strap-Locks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

It is well known that railroad officials will not check baggage for transmission that is not securely locked, while there is a class of baggageenamely, telescopic trunks-to which a lock cannot be applied, in view of the fact that the depth of these trunks is adjustable, so that the ordinary trunk-lock is not available.

My invention has for its object the provision of means whereby the strap or straps by means of which the telescopic sections of these trunks are usually strapped together may be as securely locked against unauthorized removal as is the case in an ordinary trunk.

The invention consists, essentially, in the combination with an ordinary strap provided with the usual adj ustin g and fastening buckle, of a lock comprising two parts, one of which is, or may be, permanently secured to the strap at a suitable point in rear of the buckle, while the other part is adjustable on or adjustably-connected with the free end, or that portion of the strap extending or projecting from its buckle, as will now be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows in elevation a telescopic trunk, the retaining-straps of which are locked in accordance with my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 show in perspective two forms of studplates adapted to be applied to the body of a strap. Fig. l is a like view of the lock-case adjustable on or detachable from the free end of the strap. Fig. 5 is a top View of the lock, showing the key-operated lockingsprings, the key, in section, being shown inserted and the springs spread, as in unlocking, and Fig. 6 is a cross-section of straps and locking devices.

In the above-described figures of drawings Seria-l No. 550,649. (No model.)

S indicates the strap, B its buckle, and P a stud-plate, Fig. 2, provided with flanges p overlapping the edges of the strap, to which said plate may be riveted or otherwise secured, or it may be simply slipped onto the strap, hence made detachable therefrom, said plate being provided with a stud p extending through said strap and terminatingin a conical head p2.

As shown, the stud-plate Pis applied to the strap near its buckle B; but it may, of course, be applied at any suitable or required point distant from said buckle, which, if the plate is detachable from the strap, will depend upon the length of the free end of such strap, so that the latter may be held against the body of the strap, as in the case of the ordinary retaining-loop. It is obvious, however, that the stud-plate may consist simply of a stud or button having a cylindrical or otherwise shaped more or less fiat base, from which the headed stud p projects, as shown in Fig. 3. The lock-case O may or may not be provided with side flanges adapted to overlap the edges of the free ends of the strap.

In a lock in which the locking-bolt is cylindrical it is of course necessary that the lockcase should have lateral depending flanges c, as shown, that overlap or overhang the edges of the free end of the strap, though l preferably make the said flanges of a width practically equal to twice the thickness of the strap, so that the flanges will fit or lap over the edges of the body of the strap as well as the edges of the stud-plate P. rllhe lock-case C may also be provided with inturned anges similar to the ianges p on the stud-plate, so that it can be slipped on and olf the strap, as will be readily understood.

In the lock-case are arranged two springs s s adapted to engage the shoulder formed by the portion of greatest diameter of the head p2 of stud pp on plate P. It is obvious that if the stud p is passed through a hole in the free end s of the strap S and then into the lock-case through a suitably-located bolt-hole, the springs s s will spread and allow the en larged head p2 to pass between them and then snap under said head and lock the lock-case and the two parts of the strap together. ln its outer face the lock-case is provided with a suitably-located keyhole for a key K, Fig. 4.

The lock constructed as set forth and as ICO shown in the drawings is merely given as an example, and I do not limit myself to the use thereof, as any other look comprising two parts provided with key-operated interlocking devices, one of said parts adapted for applieation to the body of the strap and the other to the free end thereof, may be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a strap of a keyoperated lock composed of two parts each provided with a look element, one or both parts adapted to be shifted along the strap, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a strap provided with the usual retaining and adj ustingbuekle,

H. B. LITTLEPAGE. Vitnesses:

HENRY ORTH, M. Z. L. HIGGINS. 

